THE SIX SONGWRITERS SUMMER SHOWCASE

MARK WILSON and SELF

Finally I am back to blogging (this morning) and busking (yesterday at the Farmers Market), though still knackered from performance this past week when I shared the stage for a start-the-summer folk show at the BUSHWAKKER BREWPUB in Regina, SK. Canada.  (I always feel privileged to be strumming and harpooning at BUSHWAKKERS ... and ... I always get home really, really late!  BUSHWAKKER gigs mean GOOD TIMES!)

Grant Frew, the manager of BUSHWAKKERS, asked me to perform a summer gig, and to perhaps gather a few local folk artists for the event.  Grant advertised this evening gig as THE SIX SONGWRITERS SUMMER SHOWCASE.  On the bill were MARK WILSON and myself, REBECCA LASCUE, DUSTIN RITTER, REGAN HINCHCLIFFE, and DAVID CRUISE MALLOY.  (Our sixth songwriter, DARREN FORBES, fell ill two days before the show.)

GRANT FREW - MANAGER OF THE BUSHWAKKER BREW PUB

Following are some pictures (taken by Curtis the awesome sound guy) and laudable reviews (written by Grant himself) describing that gig.

From the BUSHWAKKER FACEBOOK page: First up is local Master Busker, Neil Child, joined by Mark Wilson on fiddle.  More great acts to come!  Mark and I have done several gigs together; as a very talented musician, Mark is proficient on bass, acoustic, and fiddler.  And he is an awesome singer!

DUSTIN RITTER

Then DUSTIN RITTER took the stage.  On the BUSHWAKKER FACEBOOK page he was described as:  The second act is indie rock artist, Dustin Ritter.  Upbeat and whimsical songs with a catchy and cool delivery!


Dustin is known for his rocking folk and country performances with THE DUSTIN RITTER BAND.  I've seen Dustin live many times over the years and he is a very polished stage professional.  I known Dustin for a long time, actually since he was a student in one of my Psychology classes many, many years ago!

REBECCA LASCUE

REBECCA LASCUE stole the night with her awesome vocals.  She was described in the BUSHWAKKER FACEBOOK page:  Our third talented indie folk pop artist is Rebecca Lascue.  Joni Mitchell's folk style, Beyonce's belt, and Regina Specktor's quirkiness!

Rebecca, too, was student in one of my Psychology classes many, many moons ago.

REGAN HINCHCLIFFE

REGAN HINCHCLIFFE followed Rebecca.  Described in BUSHWAKKER FACEBOOK:  Our fourth act is Regan Hinchliffe.  A passionate musician, entrepreneur, and philanthropist from Regina.

Regan is always the musician for a cause.  Last year he made four hundred dollars busking one afternoon for the Regina Food Bank.  This year he did it again, busking one afternoon for the Food Bank, raising five hundred and fifty dollars!

Regan's latest band was INK ROAD.  One of Regan's band mates suggested I include Regan into the THE SIX SONGWRITERS SUMMER SHOWCASE, of which I am certainly happy for doing so!  Regan is an incredibly talented guitar player and performer.

DAVID CRUISE MALLOY

DAVID CRUISE MALLOY closed the show.  And here is how he was described in the BUSHWAKKER FACEBOOK:  David Cruise Malloy brings it home with some fine musicianship and a PH.D!  Nicely done!

David is bass player for the DARKE HALL FIVE,  all band members being university professors.  David and I have been friends for years, having done a couple gigs years ago with the band, SHARIE and the SHADES.  David was the perfect performer to close the evening showcase.

On stage at BUSHWAKKERS is an evening in Lotusland. There is money; there is round after round of applause (pun intended); and there is free beer (BUSHWAKKERS is one of the highest rated brewpubs in all of CANADA)!

Though I may grumble on occasion about having to perform a gig or two or ten in winter, mayhap that Grant Frew, the Bushwakker manager, hath inspired me to become the quintessential gigmonger, an avocation that I've come to quite enjoy.

Fact:  Grant has me booked to replicate this summer showcase for one in Autumn, Wednesday October, 28th, to be precise.
Factoid:  All six artists, including Darren, who was a no-show due to illness, have agreed to this next scheduled performance.

Methinks in the spirit of social entrepreneur, Regan Hinchcliffe, I should broker this format, and arrange for these same folk artists and others ilk, to perform at least a couple times a year to raise money for THE SCHIZOPHRENIA SOCIETY OF SASKATCHEWAN.

Factoid:  CRAIG PERRAULT, owner and manager of CRAVE KITCHEN AND WINE BAR, has already offered his establishment as host to such an event!

Marching in my CHAUCERIAN PARADE this week have been GRANT FREW (manager of THE BUSHWAKKER BREWPUB), CURTIS (BUSHWAKKER sound guy and photographer), MARK WILSON (fiddler virtuoso), DUSTIN RITTER (of THE DUSTIN RITTER BAND), REBECCA LASCUE (QUEEN OF THE FOLK FESTS), REGAN HINCHLIFFE (guitar virtuoso), DAVID CRUISE MALLOY (THE DARKE HALL FIVE) ... and CRAIG PERRAULT (owner and manager of CRAVE KITCHEN AND WINE BAR).

CRAIG PERRAULT OF CRAVE KITCHEN AND WINE BAR